July/August  2006 Page 2 

NEBASE NEEDS YOUR HELP!

NEBASE is conducting a survey to determine member satisfaction and to gather member suggestions. The information gathered will be used to help us improve and enhance our programs, procedures, and services.

All staff at NEBASE member institutions are invited to complete this anonymous survey. The survey is available online and should only take 10-15 minutes to complete.

Please take a moment to complete the NEBASE Member Survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=952982204055.

The survey will be available thru the end of the day on Friday, July 21.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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NEW OCLC REPORT: COLLEGE STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION RESOURCES

College Students' Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources examines the information-seeking habits and preferences of international college students. This report is a companion piece to the December 2005 OCLC Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources report.

The 396 college students who participated in the survey range in age from 15 to 57 and are either undergraduate or graduate students. The college students were from all of the six countries included in the survey (Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, United Kingdom and the United States). Responses from U.S. 14- to 17-year-old participants have also been included to provide contrast and comparison with the college students, as these young people are potential college attendees.

With all-new graphs and additional analysis of how college student data compare to that of total respondents, this report is a subset of the original Perceptions report and provides findings from the online survey in an effort to learn more about:

• Library use
  
• Awareness and use of library electronic resources
  
• The Internet search engine, the library and the librarian
  
• Free vs. for-fee information
  
• The "Library" brand

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NEW OCLC USER GUIDE: SEARCHING WORLDCAT INDEXES

A new user guide, Searching WorldCat Indexes, is now available.

This guide provides comprehensive information about the indexes used to retrieve records from WorldCat. (OCLC services, including cataloging, reference, and resource sharing, now use the same search indexes. )

The guide describes MARC fields and subfields indexed for each WorldCat index and provides information about how each index works to help construct searches that retrieve the records you need.

Who should use this guide?

This guide is for library staff who use the following OCLC interfaces to search WorldCat.

• OCLC Connexion® client and browser (cataloging)
  
• OCLC CatExpress® in Connexion browser (copy cataloging)
  
• OCLC FirstSearch® (reference)
  
• OCLC WorldCat Resource Sharing (interlibrary loan)

• The WorldCat Documentation page: http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/worldcat/default.htm 
  
• The FirstSearch Documentation page: http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/firstsearch/default.htm 
  
• The Connexion Browser Documentation page: http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/connexion/browser/default.htm
  
• The (recently re-designed) Connexion Client Documentation page (click the link for Cataloging documentation): http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/connexion/client/cataloging/
  
• The CatExpress Documentation page: http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/catexpress/

Peter Insabella
Manager, Product Documentation Content
OCLC, Inc.

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OBSOLETE OCLC TECHNICAL BULLETINS

From OCLC Product Documentation:

We are in the process of incorporating relevant information from older technical bulletins into the online Bibliographic Formats and Standards at http://www.oclc.org/bibformats/default.htm.

If you will go to the Technical Bulletins Web page, at http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/technicalbulletins/default.htm, you will see that the four oldest technical bulletins (TB240 through TB244) have been made obsolete and the relevant information from these TBs has been incorporated into Bibliographic Formats and Standards.

We will continue to work in reverse chronological order, incorporating relevant information into Bibliographic Formats and Standards and obsoleting the technical bulletins, as needed.

Peter Insabella
Manager, Product Documentation Content
OCLC

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OCLC PRICING 2006/2007

The OCLC Products and Services Price List for the 2006/2007 Fiscal Year is now available on the NEBASE web page at:
/netserv/nebase/nebserv.html.

These prices, in effect from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007, apply only to NEBASE members.

If you have any questions, problems, or concerns related to these prices, please contact Christa Burns, 402-471-3107, or 800-307-2665.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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OPEN WORLDCAT LINKS YOUR LIBRARY'S USERS TO THE RESOURCES THEY NEED

Now any Web site can include "Find in a Library" links for specific titles.

From your library's Web site-or even a personal Web site, personal blog or email message-you can easily post, or send a link to, "Find in a Library" results for a title. By linking to an ISBN/ISSN in Open WorldCat's "Find in a Library", you can help connect your library users to the resources of your library or to libraries around the world when the resources aren't available locally.

See an example

The Santa Monica Public Library has implemented this linking solution in its online catalog.

Link to a demonstration of their implementation on the Open WorldCat Web site at http://www.oclc.org/worldcat/open/default.htm.  Scroll down the page to the section titled "Anybody can link in" to watch the demo.

The link allows Web catalog users who discover that all copies of an item are checked out to visit the "Find in a Library" interface for that item. There they can see if libraries in neighboring communities have that title available.

Learn how it works

Using a URL syntax that constructs the link around a standard numeric identifier, you can include "Find in a Library" links for specific titles.

Your library can use the syntax as well, to dynamically generate "Check Nearby Libraries" links in online catalog records to help your users find items when they're not available locally.

The syntax for link URLs is based on the numeric identifiers ISSN, ISBN and OCLC number. Your link can also limit "Find in a Library" results to a postal ZIP code (U.S.), state name (U.S.), province name or country name.

Set up direct links at your library

Instructions for establishing direct links to WorldCat are available on the OCLC Web site at:
http://www.oclc.org/worldcat/open/isbnissnlinking/default.htm.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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RLG MEMBERSHIP APPROVES PROPOSAL TO COMBINE WITH OCLC

The Research Library Group's (RLG) online products and services will be integrated with OCLC's, and RLG's program initiatives will be continued as RLG-Programs, a membership-based organization that operates as a new division of OCLC Programs and Research to support architecture, standards development and best practices.

An FAQ that includes information on the combined organization as well as updates on some specific products and services is available on the RLG and OCLC Web sites at: http://www.oclc.org/news/releases/oclcrlgfaq.htm.

The FAQ is updated as information becomes available.

View the news release at: http://www.oclc.org/news/releases/200625.htm.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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WEBJUNCTION UPDATE

Check out these new additions to WebJunction (http://www.webjunction.org/), the online community where library staff meet to share ideas, solve problems and take online courses.

Winnebago Public Library/Little Priest Tribal College Library (Nebraska) is the WebJunction May Library of the Month!!!

Little Library on the Prairie - The Winnebago Public Library/Little Priest Tribal College Library is a log cabin on the outside and a shining, technology-rich pride of the community on the inside. Go to: http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=13299.

The Fast Track to Serving Spanish Speakers

Looking to connect with the Spanish speakers in your community? Get the tools you need with our new Spanish Language Outreach course. This free four-hour self-paced tutorial covers cultural differences, partnering with community organizations, and more. It's in our online course catalog under "Sustainability, Advocacy, and Outreach." Go to: http://webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=442.

WebJunction July Focus: E-Learning Clearinghouse

Found in the WebJunction Learning Center, the E-Learning Clearinghouse is a web-based, searchable database of online continuing education courses and academic programs for library staff. Go to: http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=13651.

Course of the Month

During the month of July, you can enroll in our Project Management course for only $10 (that's less than half price!). Go to: http://www.webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=372.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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SHARE YOUR LIBRARY'S WEB SITE

Did you know that NEBASE maintains a list of OCLC member institutions on its web site, along with links to the libraries' home pages?

There are two lists. One is arranged by institution name and the other is arranged by OCLC symbol. Both lists can be found at:
/netserv/nebase/OCLCMemberLibs.html.

To add or update your library's link, please contact Christa Burns.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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OCLC MEMBERS COUNCIL FEBRUARY MEETING

OCLC Members Council focuses on using technology to improve the cooperative and provide new services

OCLC Members Council discussed the future of the integrated library system, how WorldCat might fit in that future, and how different models of library systems might better serve the needs of libraries and library users as we enter a Web 2.0 world.

Members Council met in Dublin, Ohio, February 12-14 in the second of three 2005/2006 meetings with the primary theme, "Building and Expanding the Collaborative." Council voted to hold their February 2007 meeting in Canada in an effort to expand the experience of delegates who normally meet three times each year in Dublin.

View the full report at:
http://www5.oclc.org/downloads/design/abstracts/02272006/memberscouncil.htm.

Browse the February meeting materials and view the presentations through streaming video at: http://www.oclc.org/memberscouncil/meetings/2006/default.htm.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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REPORT FROM OCLC MEMBERS COUNCIL MAY MEETING

OCLC Members Council elects Maggie Farrell, Bruce Newell to OCLC Board of Trustees

Delegates discuss expanding the collaborative to include more museums, other cultural heritage institutions

OCLC Members Council elected two of its own to the Board of Trustees, elected an executive committee for next year's council, and discussed issues related to expanding the collaborative to include more archives, museums and other cultural heritage institutions as it wrapped up the 2005/2006 session.

Members Council met May 21-23 in Dublin, Ohio, in the last of three meetings with the primary theme, "Partnerships: Building and Expanding the Collaborative."

View the complete report at:
http://www5.oclc.org/downloads/design/abstracts/06052006/memberscouncil.htm

For more information about the OCLC Members Council go to: /netserv/nebase/memberscouncil.html.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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YOU WANT TO DO WHAT?!?

"You Want to do What?!?" is a monthly column that features tips and hints for using OCLC WorldCat Resource Sharing and OCLC Connexion.

OCLC WORLDCAT RESOURCE SHARING TIP: CREATE CUSTOM HOLDINGS GROUPS WITH THE ILL POLICIES DIRECTORY

Your custom holdings groups and paths will be more accurate when you use the ILL Policies Directory ( ttps://illpolicies.oclc.org) to create and maintain your groups. This will allow individual institutions to customize their sorting preferences for groups of lenders such as LVIS and AV lenders by: state, cost, delivery method, or other criteria.

You can learn how to use the Policies Directory to create custom holdings groups with the brief online demo available at:
http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/resourcesharing/customholdings/tutorial.htm 

If you have not yet updated your resource sharing policies, please visit the Policies Directory and review your information. The ILL Policies Directory Quick Reference and Tutorial will show you how to maintain your policies:
/netserv/nebase/resourcesharing.html#ILLPolicies.

OCLC CONNEXION TIP: CUSTOMIZING THE CLIENT TOOLBAR

The Connexion client supplies a default toolbar located below the menus and above the work area in the client main window. You can use the Toolbar Editor to add or remove buttons (or reset to the default).

Add buttons to the Toolbar:

1. On the Tools menu, click Toolbar Editor, or press <Alt><T><E>.
   
2. In the Toolbar Editor dialog, scroll the Menu Items list. When you find a button you want to add, click and hold it, and then drag and drop it where you want it to appear on the toolbar.
   
3. When finished, click Close, or press <Enter>.

1. On the Tools menu, click Toolbar Editor, or press <Alt><T><E>.
   
2. On the Toolbar, click the button you want to remove and hold it, and then drag and drop it into the Toolbar Editor.
   
3. When finished, click Close, or press <Enter>.

1. On the Tools menu, click Toolbar Editor, or press <Alt><T><E>.
   
2. In the Toolbar Editor dialog, click Reset.
   
3. Click Yes to confirm. The toolbar returns to the original buttons in the original order.
   
4. When finished click Close, or press <Enter>.

Christa Burns
OCLC Member Services Coordinator
Nebraska Library Commission

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OCLC FIRSTSEARCH COUNTER RELEASE 2 STATISTICS REPORTS AVAILABLE

On May 21, OCLC included a tab for COUNTER (Counting Online Usage of Networked Electronic Resources) Release 2 reports on the OCLC Usage Statistics (www.stats.oclc.org) web page.

COUNTER statistics measure FirstSearch database and journal usage, and are an enhancement to the statistics provided under the FirstSearch tab on OCLC's Usage Statistics website. More information on the COUNTER statistics can be found at www.projectcounter.org.

OCLC is applying to Project COUNTER for compliancy certification for Release 2 and will make an announcement when that certification is received.

Amy Lytle [edited]
Product Support Specialist II - Library Usage Statistics
OCLC Collection Services
 

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OCLC WORLDCAT RESOURCE SHARING UPDATE: MAY ENHANCEMENTS

OCLC is pleased to announce that the following changes were successfully installed on Sunday, May 7:

New category of review-in-process
The category of review-in-process was added to WorldCat Resource Sharing. When a borrower prints review requests, they will automatically update to review-in-process.

Ability to batch-update without printing
Users can now to hit a button on the batch printing screen of WorldCat Resource Sharing and automatically populate the batch update information for requests that are in the pending or the review status. Users no longer have to either manually key in all request identifiers in these two statuses or batch update while printing.

Users click on the "Add all review/pending requests" button and all the request identifiers are added to the box below. The user then clicks on Update All Categories. This functionality is only available for pending to in-process and review to review-in-process. If there is demand for this in other categories, a future enhancement will be considered.

Ability to print without updating
A new check box now appears on the batch printing page with a check box that will allow users to print pending and review requests and not update those requests to in-process or review-in-process. The box reads: Do not auto-update to "Review in Process" or Do not auto-update to "In-Process". The default remains as it has been, that is, printed requests will automatically update.

If you have further questions, please contact Christa Burns at NEBASE, 402-471-3107, or 800-307-2665 or OCLC's Customer Support Division at: support@oclc.org  or 800-848-5800.

Christa Starck Weiker
Product Manager, WorldCat Resource Sharing
OCLC

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OCLC WORLDCAT RESOURCE SHARING UPDATE: JUNE ENHANCEMENTS

Sunday, June 4, OCLC Resource Sharing installed the ability to deflect requests based on deflection policies set in the lender's Policy Directory and there is now a new button linking to the local holdings record from within WorldCat Resource Sharing for editing in Connexion.

Policies Directory and WorldCat Resource Sharing Auto-Deflection
WorldCat Resource Sharing will now deflect resource sharing requests based on policies defined by lenders in the Policies Directory. This speeds up processing by allowing libraries to not see requests they cannot fill, and makes the response time and the delivery quicker to the end user. Instead of an unfilled request remaining in the pending status waiting for potential lenders to manually deny the request, the Request Manager skips lenders based on deflection policies and automatically moves the request to the next lender.

Users of the Policies Directory will be able to set deflection criteria for borrowing requests to bypass the request manager. The deflection may be based on the request service type, format type and group membership. The default setting is for no deflection policies to be set.

Here are high-level instructions for implementing deflection. For additional details please contact Christa Burns at NEBASE, 402-471-3107, 800-307-2665 or OCLC Customer Support at 800-848-5800, support@oclc.org.

• Logon to the Policies Directory.
  
  
• Click on My Units.
  
  
• Click on the link with your institution's name.
  
  
• Click on the Policies tab, and in the same location where you create and update Copy and Loan policies, a new Deflections link appears.
  
  
• By choosing to create a new deflection policy, the user will be taken to a screen to fill out the relevant fields.
  
  
• Name the deflection policy (required field).
  
  
• Select whether the policy affects copy, loan or both copy/loan requests (required field).
  
  
• "Enable real-time deflection" is the default and will activate the deflection. A deflection policy may be turned off without deleting it entirely.
  
  
• A deflection policy may combine formats and/or OCLC profiled groups. Users may not deflect all formats for everyone, thereby setting themselves as non-suppliers.
  
  
• Each format or group must be chosen individually. If a format or group is selected by mistake, clicking on the minus button next to the format/group name as displayed in the list will remove it from the list.
  
  
• Save the policy.
  
  
• Once a deflection policy is enabled and saved, it takes effect immediately.
  
  
• If multiple policies are created, the deflection process looks at the first policy, then the second and so forth.
  
  
• Once a request has been placed that might trigger deflection of a request, it will skip past that lender in 10-20 seconds after being placed. If the borrower returns to the request after it has been placed, the asterisk indicating the current lender will have moved to the next lender. The Request History will indicate Auto-Deflection: format type or profiled group or multiple reasons.

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OCLC'S RESPONSE TO THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS DECISION ON CONTROLLED SERIES ACCESS

Since the Library of Congress announced its decision to discontinue providing controlled access to series in bibliographic records and to discontinue creation of series authority records, OCLC staff have been discussing possible actions to ease the effects of this decision with our member libraries, with participants in the Program for Cooperative Cataloging and with Library of Congress staff. At the May OCLC Members Council meeting, discussions with the Cataloging and Metadata Interest Group were particularly helpful in forming OCLC's response.

We are now ready to announce actions in several areas that will assist in maintaining controlled series access in WorldCat records:

1. Changes has been made to the software used to load Library of Congress records into WorldCat so that, if the existing WorldCat record contains controlled series access (either field 440 or fields 490, first indicator "1,' and an 8XX field) and the incoming LC record contains only a series statement (field 490, first indicator "0'), the controlled series access will be retained
   
2. Since, as part of the change in series practice, the Library of Congress will cease to use the 042 code "pcc' in records for monographs and integrating resources, OCLC will also adjust the hierarchy that governs which record takes precedence when incoming records are compared with existing WorldCat records to insure that a PCC record is not bumped by a record not meeting PCC standards. To be implemented June 11, 2006.
   
3. OCLC will change existing Database Enrichment capabilities (http://www.oclc.org/support/tips/worldcat/tip7.htm) so that fields 440, 490, and 8XX can be added, changed or deleted by any user with a full-level cataloging authorization. This will allow cataloging users to, for example, change series treatment in LC records to match existing authority records. To be implemented in the next few months.
   
4. OCLC staff in the Quality Control Section will continue to make changes to series treatment in master records in response to requests from libraries made through any of the usual reporting methods. Staff in the unit are NACO participants independent in series and can, as needed, create and maintain series authority records related to the records they are upgrading.
   
5. OCLC staff will review statements about Library of Congress Rule Interpretations and practices in Bibliographic Formats and Standards, 3rd ed., to clarify that OCLC member libraries are not required to follow LC's decisions on controlled series access. Updates will be made to the web version of BFAS once review has been completed.
   
6. OCLC staff in the CIP Upgrade Unit (located at the Blackwell's Book Services warehouse in Blackwood, NJ) will continue to verify series information as part of the CIP Upgrading process and will, as necessary, change Library of Congress records to reflect appropriate controlled series access. Staff in the unit are NACO participants independent in series and will, as needed, create and maintain series authority records related to the records they are upgrading.

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CONNEXION CLIENT 1.60 NOW AVAILABLE

Attention Connexion client users! Connexion client 1.60 was released on June, 15!

With client 1.60, you are able to:

• Catalog electronic resources using new tools.
  
• Use MARC Update functionality announced in Technical Bulletin 252.
  
• Specify fields to delete in exported records.
  
• Determine if local holdings are attached to records and launch local holdings maintenance in the Connexion browser.
  
• Plus a lot more!

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NEW DOCUMENTATION FOR CONNEXION CLIENT 1.60

The Connexion client Help and documentation has now been completely updated with 1.60 information.

Please go to the main client documentation page, at http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/connexion/client/default.htm  to see the latest client documentation in the Authorities, Basics, Cataloging and Getting Started areas.

In addition, a new Connexion Client Quick Reference is now available online, at http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/connexion/client/
cataloging/catquickref/.

This 16-page quick reference will also be available shortly in printed form. Watch for a separate announcement of the availability of the printed version of this new quick reference.

Peter Insabella
Manager, Product Documentation Content
OCLC

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CONNEXION BROWSER MAY ENHANCEMENTS

On May 21, the following functionality was added to the Connexion Browser. For more information, on the General tab in the Connexion Browser, search Connexion News under the category "System Updates".

Metadata Extraction and Creation
Reimplementation of Metadata Extraction: The Metadata Extraction functionality in the Connexion browser has been revised and expanded. In addition to creating records for web sites, users may now extract metadata and create records for locally stored files in the following formats: .htm, .html, pdf, and .doc. The creation dialogs for metadata extraction have been revised to place all extract functionality on the same screen rather than splitting between Create/Single Record and Create/Multiple Records.

Note: Metadata Extraction functionality was included in the Connexion Client, version 1.60, released June 15.

OCLC-MARC Format Update 2006
With the May installation, OCLC began implementation of changes in preparation for the OCLC-MARC Format Update 2006 that affects both the Connexion browser and client interfaces.

WebDewey / Abridged WebDewey May Quarterly Release
This May release consisted of updating the DDC 22 and Abridged 14 databases in WebDewey and Abridged WebDewey, respectively. These database updates contained the latest changes to the DDC, including new editorially mapped LCSH including up to Weekly List no. 27 & 28 (2005) and monthly postings.

Material types in Search Dialog
In the Connexion browser, the Material Type (Mat. Type) list has been added to the Keyword/Numeric Search area in the Connexion browser to join the existing limiters of Language, Source, Format, Years, Microform, Internet and Holdings.

Connexion Browser Logoff Warning Screen
The wording of the Active Records message on the Connexion browser logoff warning screen and the format of the screen has been changed to clarify the meaning of the active records message and to provide libraries with the information to hide the logoff warning if you prefer not to see the message.

Error Fixes:
Ability to correctly control subdivisions ($x/$v)
Recently, the Library of Congress launched a project to modify values of bytes 008/15 (Subj use) in subdivision authority records. The new values in the records are 008/15 = b and replace the previously coded values of 008/15 = a. Changes have been made to ignore the value of the 008/15 value in all subdivision records that allow users to control the correct subdivision record.

Documentation:
OCLC Connexion browser Help documentation has been updated to include information on the MARC Format Updates. OCLC Connexion browser documentation has also been updated to include the user apparent changes related to Metadata Extraction and Capture for this install.

Becky Dean
OCLC

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CONNEXION CLIENT MAY ENHANCEMENTS

On May 21, the following functionality was added to the Connexion Client.

OCLC-MARC Format Update 2006
With the May installation, OCLC began implementation of changes in preparation for the OCLC-MARC Format Update 2006 that affects both the Connexion browser and client interfaces. http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/worldcat/tb/252/.

Error Fixes:
Offline validation status changes to incorrect "failed" status
Immediately after validation completes, records that pass validation offline in Connexion client 1.50 show Validate-C for "completed" in the status bar or save file list, as they should. When the local save file list or record is redisplayed, the validation status incorrectly shows Validate-F for "failed". This is an incorrect system response. The records actually have passed validation. You can continue to update, replace and add records as usual. This problem was resolved in this install.

Ability to correctly control subdivisions ($x/$v)
Recently, the Library of Congress launched a project to modify values of bytes 008/15 (Subj use) in subdivision authority records. The new values in the records are 008/15 = b and replace the previously coded values of 008/15 = a. Changes have been made to ignore the value of the 008/15 value in all subdivision records that allow users to control the correct subdivision record.

Documentation:
OCLC Connexion client Help documentation has been updated as part of the Client version 1.60, released in June.

Becky Dean
OCLC

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FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF OCLC-MARC FORMAT UPDATE 2006

With the official release of Connexion client 1.60 announced on 2006 June 15, please begin to use all of the new capabilities, new fields and subfields, new codes, and new characters that were documented in OCLC Technical Bulletin 252 (http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/worldcat/tb/252/ ) as part of the OCLC-MARC Format Update 2006.

New searching and indexing capabilities:
With the exceptions and Connexion interface differences noted in Technical Bulletin 252, all new searching and indexing capabilities should now be used in all Connexion interfaces. Note that, as OCLC continues to convert data, searches that include the qualifiers for Continuing Resources, Integrating Resources, and Serials may not retrieve complete results sets.

New practices for Integrating Resources, including the use of BLvl i:
These should be implemented in all Connexion interfaces immediately. Please use the "Guidelines for Integrating Resources" section of Technical Bulletin 252 to update the document Cataloging Electronic Resources: OCLC-MARC Coding Guidelines. (http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/worldcat/cataloging/
electronicresources/default.htm). The document will be revised online soon.

New fields, subfields, and indicators:
These should be used in all Connexion interfaces immediately.

New codes:
These should be used in all Connexion interfaces immediately. In Connexion client 1.50, new codes will not appear in dropdown lists, but can be input manually.

New characters:
These should be used in all Connexion interfaces immediately, subject to the revision of Library of Congress Rule Interpretations 1.0E, 1.4F5, and 1.4F6, where appropriate.

Data Conversion and Indexing
Note that some data conversions and other changes are currently still in progress and will be completed over the course of the next few weeks and months. To the extent possible, these are noted in Technical Bulletin 252. OCLC will keep users informed about the progress of the major conversions.

Upgrade to Connexion client 1.60
To take full advantage of the new capabilities that are now available in Connexion client 1.60 and to avoid the limitations of client 1.50, users are strongly encouraged to switch from 1.50 to 1.60 at their earliest convenience. Remember that OCLC will discontinue the Connexion client 1.50 on October 1.

Jay Weitz
Senior Consulting Database Specialist
OCLC Online Computer Library Center

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TECHNICAL BULLETIN 252: OCLC-MARC FORMAT UPDATE, 2006

An updated version of Technical Bulletin 252: OCLC-MARC Format Update 2006 is now available on the OCLC web site at:
http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/worldcat/tb/252/.

The TB describes the following:

• New coding practices for integrating resources
  
• Bibliographic and authority record changes (changes to fields, subfields, values, and indicators)
  
• MARC code list changes
  
• Character set changes
  
• 006 template and fixed field display changes
  
• Summary of Connexion changes

It also contains the following new material and corrections:

• The sharp character should be used when referring to Microsoft's C# programming language. A note saying that the pound sign continue to be used was removed after consulting with the Library of Congress.
  
• Alif changes:
  • Records containing the Alif fail offline validation. The workaround is to use online validation.
    
  • Connexion client users need to download a patch so the correct MARC-8 value for Alif will be exported
• The example for field 031 Musical Incipits contained subfield $p twice, which is incorrect because subfield $p is not repeatable. One of the subfields was removed.
  
• New codes for the fixed fields BLvl, Lang, and Ctry were originally planned to be made available from the Connexion client 1.50 dropdown lists via a downloaded file. This is not technically possible at present. However, the new codes may be input manually. Code h in the fixed field Relf is obsolete, but remains available in client 1.50; if present in a record, it will fail validation.

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N³ (Ncubed) Newsletter is published bimonthly by the Nebraska Library Commission Network Services team. It is the intent of Network Services to promote and support libraries in their cooperative efforts to share resources and information. Circulation: 600. Published on PC software. Editor: Shannon Behrhorst. Word Processing: Jeannette Powell. ISSN 1082-4383 Send mail to: N³ Editor Nebraska Library Commission, The Atrium, 1200 N St., Suite 120, Lincoln, NE, 68508 Phone: 402-471-4031 or 800-307-2665 Fax: 402-471-2083 E-mail: Shannon Behrhorst Home Page: /netserv/netserv.html.